Scorpions just miss out at Oxford
ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions just missed out on a league point at Oxford last night (Wednesday), eventually losing 40-49, but it was a night when British Speedway was the winner.
A capacity crowd of 2,000 saw the return of the shale sport to the university city after an absence of 15 years, with both a terrific atmosphere and, especially considering it was the first night, some good racing.
Scorpions took the lead with a 5-0 from Jordan Palin and Tero Aarnio in Heat 3, after Kyle Newman was excluded for a fourth bend incident and then Cameron Heeps was forced to pull up in the re-run after damage to his bike caused by a clash with Palin.
Scorpions then kept a narrow lead – with both Jake Allen and Ryan Douglas winning races – through to Heat 10, when Oxford took a 5-1 which moved the home side ahead at 30-29.
But Scorpions were not finished. Ryan Douglas inflicted a defeat on home skipper Scott Nicholls in Heat 11, and with Simon Lambert in third, Scorpions edged ahead back ahead at 33-32.
Oxford moved back in front, after Dillon Ruml passed Jordan Palin for third on the final lap of Heat 12, to a massive roar from the large home crowd.
Batchelor and Nicholls banged in a big 5-1 for Cheetahs in Heat 13. Scorpions were hoping for a heat advantage from Heat 14. Aarnio won the race, but Kennedy was slightly unfortunate when former Scorpion Josh MacDonald lost control in front of him, which led to Kennedy losing ground and the heat was shared. The 3-3 kept Oxford’s five-point advantage and meant they were almost home-and-dry.
Scorpions could have still taken a point with at least three points from Heat 15. Douglas trapped, but a determined Nicholls pushed under him on the fourth bend and Batchelor followed through the gap to another massive roar from the Cowley crowd. Douglas fell on the second lap trying to recover lost ground, but quickly cleared the track to allow the race to finish.
Speaking post-meeting, Scunthorpe team manager Dave Peet said: “When you look at our previous performance at Leicester compared to tonight, it was a million miles away, it was a much better performance from us.
“It took a while for both teams to get dialed in with set-ups and get used to the track, but we were right in it. Oxford have two big hitters in Heat 13 and 15 and we knew that and planned for it and tried to counteract it elsewhere.
“Scunthorpe were the last team here in 2007, on a night when we won, and we were honoured to be part of the re-opening night of such an iconic team and venue. We wanted to spoil the party, but it didn’t go our way. But it’s absolutely fantastic to see Oxford Speedway back – it really is. It was great to see the support and passion there was tonight. There’s talk of other clubs coming back – I hope they can, because then speedway is rocking and rolling.
“We’re up to speed now and we plan to go out all guns blazing on Friday to start our home meetings with a victory over Leicester.”
OXFORD 49: Troy Batchelor 15, Scott Nicholls 12+2, Jack Thomas 7+1, Cameron Heeps 7, Dillon Ruml 5, Kyle Newman 2, Josh Macdonald 1+1.
SCUNTHORPE 40: Ryan Douglas 9, Jake Allen 8, Tero Aarnio 7+2, Zaine Kennedy 5+1, Jordan Palin 5, Simon Lambert 3+1, Ryan Kinsley 3.
* ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions start their home meetings tomorrow (Good Friday) at 5pm, with the visit of Leicester Lions to the Eddie Wright Raceway.
